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Best Pet-Friendly Restaurants In Chicago

June 29, 2012 6:00 AM

By Jacky Runice

Dogs adore two things: their owners and food. Although they won’t be served a steaming platter of postman here, your canine friend may accompany you to one of these dog-friendly eateries and slurp a bowl full of cool water while spending time in his favorite place, at your side, while both of you watch the world go by.

Joe’s is a massive, warehouse-style venue near Lincoln Park that caters to sports fans with more than 110 plasma televisions, 14 satellites and high def projector screens, and music lovers with local, regional and national acts including Miranda Lambert, Rick Springfield and Snoop Dogg. Dog owners love Joe’s for its Wednesday night doggy happy hour from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the outdoor patio. Canines may catch treats and water while humans sup on traditional bar food including nachos, pizza, wings and burgers. Twice per year, Joe’s gets pugly when up to 300 dogs join in a Pug Party that includes a parade — costumes encouraged — videotaped at face level for viewing on YouTube.

Just off of MIchigan Avenue, Bistronomic invites Chicagoans to enjoy its covered patio with their four-legged buddies while watching a parade of tourists and locals. You can’t beat the location and view while enjoying the celebrated French bistro menu from Executive Chef Martial Noguier. Kick it old school with Amish chicken, or sup on ahi tuna tartare for fancier fare. Sip a juicy French red while your companion stays hydrated with plenty of water right by your side.

Out-of-towners shouldn’t get to have all of the fun. Make a date with your pooch to visit the city’s No. 1 tourist destination, Navy Pier, and relax at Harry Caray’s Tavern. Watch the boats, colossal Ferris wheel and gleeful families touring the pier while you relax on the licensed dog friendly patio. Your pal gets treats and a souvenir water bowl while you get a load of Harry’s oven-fired pizza, juicy burgers, Chicago-centric specialties and Tiki Bar cocktails.

Lottie’s Pub has been a Bucktown fixture since 1934, serving as a neighborhood tavern as well as a place of anonymity for mobsters and politicians, a horse-betting hall, strip joint and poker party palace with games lasting into the wee hours of the morning. Today, the Chicago landmark offers bar grub, pizza, a weekend brunch and plenty of old-school Hamm’s and PBR. The storied venue is ultra dog-friendly and has hosted events including Barks for Beers and Cause 4 Paws. Pooches with panache are always allowed on the patio and water bowls are served gratis.

A food truck for dogs, Fido to Go calls itself Chicago’s premier gourmutt food truck, serving hand-crafted treats from canine cookies and ice cream to gluten-free cheddar wedges and pup pizza. You’ll find the rolling kitchen at Chicago dog parks, beaches and the special events served up in the summer. Follow the truck’s whereabouts on Twitter and Facebook for a day-to-day schedule and route.Related: Best Pet Friendly Hotels in Chicago

Jacky Runice has been a columnist with the Daily Herald Chicago since grunge music and flannel was the new black. Her fingers and gray matter have been busy as travel editor of Reunions Magazine; penning a column that was syndicated around the nation via Tribune Media Services. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.